An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced programmer with extensive experience and knowledge of the jazz and jazz-related scenes in Scotland and the wider UK to work closely with our Creative Manager and Festivals Coordinator to programme the Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2025. The jobholder will bring their experience, energy and ideas to the programming of the festival while working within the parameters laid out by our event and action plans to create a high-quality programme of festival activity.

About the Festival

The 10-day Aberdeen Jazz Festival is Jazz Scotland’s flagship festival and Scotland’s 2nd largest jazz festival. Each year for the last 25 years, thousands of music-lovers have come together to enjoy an eclectic and exciting programme of concerts, workshops, jams, and more across a wide range of venues in the heart of Aberdeen city. The festival prides itself on both bringing top artists to the city and supporting the vibrant jazz and jazz-adjacent scenes already here.

Duration and location of Contract: 5 months (early December 2024 – mid April 2025) 

Availability: required to work in-person in Aberdeen during festival dates 13–23 March 2025, and attend occasional in-person meetings in the run up to the festival. Otherwise, work will be carried out from home/remotely.

Rates of Pay: £4500 plus expenses to be agreed. The rate of pay is £18/ hour. This is calculated on: 10 hours per week for 17 weeks, 40 hours per week for 2 weeks (for the festival period).

Working hours: The weekly hours are generally flexible though some would be worked during office hours (9am–5pm) to enable collaboration with the wider team. Specific working pattern is to be agreed with the successful applicant. Out of hours working will be required during the festival period.

Apply: Apply by sending a CV and covering letter to simon@jazzscotland.com with the subject line ‘Programmer application’. Please also include contact details for two referees and confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK. Please note that this is a self-employed role and the successful candidate will be responsible for any personal tax obligations.

Deadline: 11am, 27th November 2024

Interviews: 4th December 2024

Key responsibilities:

• Lead on programming the Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2025 in collaboration with the CEO and Festivals Coordinator
• Research, identify, and contact artists, bands, and ensembles suitable for the festival and propose these for inclusion in the festival programme.

• Negotiate contracts, fees, and terms with artists and their representatives as per Jazz Scotland fee structures.

• Work closely with other members of the team to ensure the programming targets set out in event plans are met.

Budget Management:

• Manage, in conversation with our CEO, artist budgets, production and technical costs.
• Monitor expenses and ensure financial targets are met.
  
  

Event Promotion and Marketing:

• Contribute to the content of marketing materials.
• Collaborate with the Festival Coordinator to promote the festival.
• Provide input on marketing materials and strategies.
• Engage with media outlets and partners to promote the festival.
  
  

Technical Production:

• Collaborate with technical teams to ensure all technical requirements are met for each performance.
• Coordinate sound and lighting equipment, stage setups, and technical crews.
• Conduct site visits and technical rehearsals to ensure smooth execution of performances as required.
• Troubleshoot technical issues as they arise during the festival.
  
  

In collaboration with the Festivals and Programmes Coordinator

• Ensure artist travel, accommodation, and hospitality requirements are met.
• Schedule and coordinate performance times, stages, and venues.
• Ensure artist marketing materials are collected.
• Ensure artist payment information is collected.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation data is collected from artists.
• Ensure artist contracts are sent out in a timely manner.